Tomorrow, November 1st, we’ll experience the 4th ‘exact hit’ of the energetic Pluto/Uranus square-dance which began back in June 2012. The final ‘hit’ will happen on December 15th, 2014, but between then and now, we’ll continue to feel the intensity of these two planets as they tease each other with the energetic tension created between the waxing and waning of their orbits. As I’ve said in previous posts about the energy of this configuration from an evolutionary perspective, there’s an urgent message for each of us that the Universe is trying to deliver.

Back in 2012 I welcomed the following guest post from Simon Bentley, Principal of the White Eagle School of Astrology, based in the UK. As we are currently being inundated with the recent lunar eclipse in Aries, Mercury’s retrograde and extended stay in Scorpio, the forthcoming Solar Eclipse on November 3rd in Scorpio on top of this exact hit tomorrow, it seems more than appropriate to revisit Simon’s ‘take’ as to WHY the Universe is trying to get us on the line! As Simon points out, the energetic and metaphorical signatures of Pluto and Uranus are about transformation. Pluto brings to light those things which have been hidden in the dark that we need to bring to light and face while Uranus shatters that which is past its ‘sell by’ date and pushes for thinking, doing out of the box…new chapters and directions on our evolutionary path soulfully and collectively are waiting for us to go through the doorway. As you’ll read through Simon’s words, evolutionary astrology is a powerful tool to help us along on this journey.

‘Life, the Transformer’

I wonder if we have ever stopped to think what the word [transform] actually means? Literally, the prefix ‘trans’ means ‘across’, so that ‘transformation’ comes to mean ‘moving across to another form’, and so, changing form. If we aren’t careful, we use this word very glibly, but looked at from a spiritual perspective it is a word of crucial importance, since we are constantly attempting to transform ourselves, change into a form suited to our current position on the spiritual path.

Eventually, we shall all learn to transform continuously, but until we reach such a point of evolution it tends to happen in fits and starts and is not always welcomed…Astrologers recognize that Pluto, despite the fact that astronomers ‘demoted’ it in recent years, is the planet that symbolizes this factor in our growth, and when it’s particularly strong in a horoscope one can be sure that there are significant transformational processes going on in the life.

At this time, Pluto tends to be manifesting in terms of those occurrences and changes in life that seem completely fated, over which we appear to have no control. The ‘fits and starts’ mentioned above tend to bring to light some kind of major change, the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another, closely linked with Pluto’s action. However, bearing in mind that every life, every incarnation of every soul, is part of the grand transformational process that eventually brings us to divinity, the significance of the word ‘transformation’ means far more in astrology than simply a reference to what Pluto may do. The whole of life is in some way transformational, and so it could be said that astrology is a science that illuminates the transformational process we call ‘life’. Astrologers are often called upon for advice when there are crises in life, turning points – moments of transformation, if you will.

Astrology can help the soul to understand the process and therefore to be less apprehensive about it and to handle it more harmoniously. Most of life’s problems, as well as often being the inevitable outworking of karmic patterns, are brought about by our tendency to resist this process: astrology, by at least attempting to explain it, helps to remove our all too natural tendency to resist. This raises an interesting point, especially for astrologers themselves.

It has always been considered that the planet of our science is Uranus, and I would not dispute that, astrology is a Uranian occupation, revealing, as it does, spiritual truth and the action of the divine will in human life. However, if astrology is also an assistant to transformation, surely it is also Plutonic? Personally I have often suspected as much, and what I have found is that while astrology is undoubtedly Uranian, Pluto is commonly very active in the horoscopes of those who become professional astrologers.

As professionals they are called upon to help others to cooperate actively with the transformational process in their lives. But there are also implications for the astrologers themselves, and the origin of their vocation. They too are undergoing transformations in their own personal lives, and what they see and experience through their clients is part of their process as well.

The use of the wonderful tool we call astrology is always, therefore, a two-way experience; if properly accomplished it’s that classic win-win situation which we all like to achieve! The client is better enabled to cope with his or her transformation; the astrologer is transformed to a degree simply by doing the job and thus learning from the client. So we could say that astrology itself can be – and hopefully is – used to hasten this process and thus speed up evolution, both individually and, through that, of the whole world.

Just when we thought we’d survived the solar eclipse in Taurus on May 9-10th, ready or not, May 24th-25th (depending on where you live) arrives with a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius. Such is the nature of eclipses, they always come in pairs, making sure that we have enough ‘opportunity’ to reflect and adjust! The message of the Solar eclipse in Taurus was for us to focus on jettisoning attitudes, beliefs and ways of being that no longer serve us well, a theme that’s been repetitive for some time now. Currently it’s exacerbated by the on-going tightening square between Pluto (in Capricorn) and Uranus (in Aries) which will make the third of seven exact ‘hits’ on May 20th.

With the Sagittarius/Gemini lunar pairing, we’re further encouraged to integrate heart and head, faith with logic and intuition with thinking in order to manifest our intended purpose in this lifetime…a pretty tall order. Fortunately, we can call upon Dr. Bach’sAgrimony and Cerato remedies to support us in this quest. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter…the planet that operates on faith, can easily become restless. This is especially true when Sag is faced with its core mission, the quest to discover the meaning of life. Ironically such an undertaking requires a ‘sense of peace’ in order for the archer to keep true to the mission. Bach’s Agrimonyis often paired astrologically with Sagittarius for many reasons. In this instance, his own words describing Agrimony as the remedy that brings “the peace that passeth understanding,”leaves no doubt as to what is called for.

Operating on intuition, the Moon doesn’t think and in Sagittarius, intuition and faith are mutually supportive. We don’t need to understand. Additionally, this lunar eclipse comes with other factors that intensify, for lack of a better word, this message. Mercury, the planet of thinking (and ruler of Gemini) is in Gemini during this eclipse and conjuncts (sits next to!) Venus. Shortly thereafter they’re both joined by…Jupiter. Clearly the universe wants us to get the message that more information input does not guarantee knowledge.

As Agrimony is often paired with Sagittarius, Dr. Bach’s remedy Cerato is paired with Gemini. Classically, the ‘Cerato negative state is described as manifesting in someone who’s very verbal, needing constant input from others or approval when in fact, they’re meant to trust their own ‘wisdom.’ With the message of this eclipse emphasizing heart and head working together, Cerato frankly helps us to shut up, go inside where we can work on learning this lesson!

Finally, there’s one more small detail into this mix…Neptune, that nebulous planet of other-directed awareness. With this lunar eclipse, Neptune is in a tight ‘T-Square’ to the Sagittarius Full Moon and Gemini Sun. Squares are turning points…which way are we going to go? Are we going to remain stagnant in the same patterns or are we willing to make changes offered to us for our evolutional growth? Neptune in its square to the luminaries is just making certain we get its message: there’s more out there beyond the boundaries of our consciousness and the time is now to embrace it. There’s no escaping, this will have been quite the month for progress along our evolutionary path!

Originally I’d planned that my small hiatus from blogging would go until the end of April! However, try as I might, I can’t ignore the importance of this eclipse. While New and Full Moonsalways signify beginnings and completions in some fashion, eclipses ‘power-boost’ these energies. The Scorpio Full Moon on April 25th illuminates energetic patterns and behaviors holding us back from growing in our evolution. As such, these elements need to go. There’s a building intensity globally, locally and personally, to dissolve that which is outmoded in spite of the fiercest of resistances as new energetic patterns and behaviors push hard for incorporation into our internal databanks, waiting to be actioned. With the full moon opposing the Sun inTaurus, we’re reminded to nurture a fundamental relationship to our physical world, its beauty and what we most value.

WhenDr. Edward Bachdiscovered the final 19 flower remedies to complete his famous 38 Bach remedies,AspenandWalnutwere among them. He identified this group as I’ve written previously, as possessing a ‘higher spirituality’ functioning at a higher vibration than those remedies already discovered.

Among the key characteristics ofAspenis that it allays our fears of going into unknown territory. So often we are seduced in the belief, “better the devil you know than the one you don’t.” However, as I’ve also written previously, the devil we know can take us right down the road of self-destruction, whether it be the result of a bad relationship, job or other life choices. Aspen provides us the courage and faith needed to venture into uncharted waters, whileBach’s remedy,Walnutis the remedy to help us make changes that we need to make.

Classically this remedy helps us to, in the words of the well-known authorDr. Leo Buscaglia,“ cut the toxic ties that bind.” It helps us to get our foot over the threshold, to let go of those things, patterns and behaviors that no longer serve us well. All of these considerations are a tall order, as our egos never want to ‘let go.’ This said, there’s a caveat in mind/body/spirit philosophy…“that which you resist the most, is that which you need to let go of.”Before you’re brought to your knees in resistance, reach for Dr. Bach’s Aspen and Walnut…it bears repeating, you’ll feel better in the morning!

For those able to witness it, yesterday’s solar eclipse presented a stunning image, even if you aren’t into astrology or astronomy. But for those of us intrigued by, work in or study astrology, yesterday’s event signals change. Change isn’t easy. In fact most of us resist it on a sliding scale that ranges from extreme resistance, to ‘well this will be interesting’ (that would be the mutable signs!). Solar eclipses work from the outside in. In other words, our external environment changes in a way that affects us internally. Specifically how this manifests depends on one’s own birth chart and what if any, planets and houses are triggered.

This said, it’s important not to lose perspective here. From an evolutional perspective, eclipses are the universe’s tool to help us grow and advance within our soul’s agenda. Thus, the energized shift doesn’t necessarily have to be a massive event; it can be something smaller but nevertheless important to our personal journey as it stimulates internal change within us that’s significant in some way. And, sometimes this shift isn’t even realized until after the fact. Yesterday’s eclipse took place at 00 degrees Gemini, so for example if your birthday was yesterday or within five days, you can expect some effect. The same is true if you have natal aspects 0 to 4 degrees in the other air signs, Libra or Aquarius…or opposite Gemini, Sagittarius, or Sag’s fire partners, Aries or Leo.

Much is written about the effect of both solar and lunar eclipses and to be honest, there are some astrologers who don’t assign much weight to them at all; but astrology is about patterns and as eclipses always come in pairs roughly 5 ½ to 6 months apart, patterns seem inevitable. Personally, I find it fascinating to look at these patterns closely. As for this pair, last November 24th we had a solar eclipse at 2 degrees Sagittarius , the opposite sign of Gemini. If yesterday’s event affects your natal chart, think of the November eclipse as a type of preview…an introduction to the initial energy intensified by yesterday’s new moon. It’s almost as if the first event gives you time to absorb the energy, get used to it so that you’ll be ready for the second act. Think back to last November 24th and the days that followed…see if you can make a connection to events and shifts within you…you might just see a pattern! And just when we think we can exhale….guess what? June 3rd brings the second of the Gemini/Sagittarius Lunar eclipse pair !

While we’re decking the halls with holly, it goes without saying that the holidays are always stressful, no matter how much we look forward to them and want to enjoy them. Aside from Mercury going direct on Tuesday after its approximate three week retrograde, the on-going Pluto/Uranus Square and tomorrow’s Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini (which is ruled by Mercury by the way),Mars has been ratcheting up its warrior energy in nit-picky Virgosince mid-November.

No question, we need Mars’ energy; when it squares the Sun as it has been doing since November 20th it can rocket us out of a rut or…affect us negatively by acting as an impulsive hair trigger that gets us into deep water, pisses us off or just simply aggravates us about everything. So, if you’ve been feeling the latter energy with this square, there’s help on the way.

First of all, we have just one more day of this square and then we can exhale for a bit. However, owing to the stresses of the season, we might continue to feel aggressive and agitated. If so, this is where Dr. Bach’swonderful Holly flower remedy comes in.

Like all of the 38 remedies, Holly has beautiful facets to it. Additionally, it’s a deep remedy which warrants much longer discussion than this space allows, but I can talk about some of the indications that tell us when we’re in a negative Holly state and how the remedy can shift us.

In the broad sense, negative Holly is about aggression, jealousy, envy, greed and rage; simply, its anger is very much in the spirit of Mars’ shadow energy. Holly will go on the offense as a defense (think road rage, the bully on the playground, emotional and/or physical vindictiveness) because the individual’s emotional interpretation is that they’re being attacked in some way, either by an individual, circumstances or the world at large, even when there’s no indication this is the case. You cannot miss negative Holly energy…it’s in your face, not like smoldering Willow which I’ll blog on at some point.

The irony here is that at the core, whether the state is temporary or chronic, the individual is extremely sensitive. If you’re familiar with the ‘doctrine of signatures’ so often referred to in herbal studies, you’ll see what I mean by looking at the plant’s leaves which are protected by the very prominent ‘stickers’ surrounding them.

From the remedy perspective Holly’s life force, prana, Qi, vibration, softens the perception of being attacked; it helps us to step back and reinterpret the reality around us and at the same time supports us with a feeling of safety that promotes a willingness to open the heart center…and what could be more appropriate at this time of the year?